COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • MARCH 1, 2019 •
Town Hall
Wyden said. “And, if this
is the case, this core Sau-
di royal government is
not going to be able to
use the United Sates as
a playground. They are
not going to be above the
law.”
from A6
“I’ve voted for laws that authorized
more than $100 billion for border se-
curity,” he said. “I have voted for fenc-
ing. I have voted for drones. I have
voted for radar. I have voted for peo-
ple. I support common-sense, effec-
tive measures for border security and,
friends, building a wall does not meet
that test.”
Government Spending
Concern about the $22 trillion na-
tional debt was raised by a citizen who
asked, “What has to happen for our
government to learn to spend within
its means?”
“The biggest challenge we have in
the federal budget, by far,” the sena-
tor responded, “is that ten thousand
people are going to turn 65 every day
for decades and decades to come and
they’re going to be eligible for Medi-
care.”
Wyden addressed the students in the
audience. “If we don’t figure out a way
for seniors to get good care and hold
down the costs for all of you students,
lots less money for you,” he said. “Lots
less money for student loans. Lots less
money for science. Lots less money for
technology. Lots less money for parks.”
He pointed out that in the near fu-
ture, 80 percent of Medicare spending
will go toward patients with two or
more serious chronic conditions such
as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
“So we’ve got to get on top of the
debt, and if we don’t, it gets passed on
to you guys,” warned the senator. “And
to get on top of the debt you’ve got to
deal with health care and you’ve got
deal with Medicare, and that’s what
I’ve focused on.”
Climate Change
Accountability
Next, a student asked about Juli-
ana v. United States, an ongoing case
originally filed in 2015 by 21 youth
School Funding
A student asked if
schools in Oregon could
expect more funding.
The senator pointed to
a core difference in how
Oregon pays for schools
as opposed to other
states – timber.
In the past, timber har-
vested in Oregon, which
was on federal land, was
DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL sold and the money went
Sen. Ron Wyden spoke to a packed gym during the Feb. 19 community Town Hall.
into the public coffers for
services such as schools,
Wyden said.
plaintiffs. The lawsuit asserts that the speaks to the question of whether the
“Well,
when
the environmental laws
youths’ rights to life, liberty and prop- President of the United States is above
started
to
change,
I wrote a bill called
erty have been violated by the govern- the law. Nobody in America is above
the
Secure
Rural
Schools bill. Lane
ment as it failed prevent the harmful the law.”
County
gets
a
lot
of
money under it —
effects of climate change.
As a member of the Senate Select
millions
of
dollars,
”
he
said.
“The legal issue here is whether the Committee on Intelligence, Wyden af-
Wyden
noted
that
he
has proposed
students have what’s called, ‘stand- firmed his commitment to telling the
creating
an
endowment
that
would let
ing’ — a legitimate interest in being public the story of the investigation.
rural
schools
know
with
certainty
how
plaintiffs to the suit,” Wyden said. “I
“As long as I’m Oregon’s guy on the
much
money
they
could
receive
each
can’t think of anybody who has more Senate Intelligence Committee, this
standing on something like this than investigation is not going to get swept year.
“The big difference, though, is that
students. I’m with the students on this under the rug,” he said. “Nobody is go-
the
federal government owns most of
and I’ve been supporting the court ing to be able to bury it.”
our
land,” he lamented. “That’s why we
case.”
The senator also put the govern-
don’t’
have money for local services
ment of Saudi Arabia in his crosshairs
the
way
they do back East.”
Government Accountability
in reference to a recent spate of Saudi
A member of the community voiced
her concern that people in Washing-
ton are not held accountable to legal
trespasses, citing the ambiguity of the
Mueller investigation’s potency as an
example.
Wyden said that he has previously
stated that “if anybody in the Congress
tries to derail the Mueller report from
being made public, I will go the floor
of the United States Senate and fight
until it is made public.” He added, “It
Caring for Children’s Teeth
Educating your children about good oral care will promote a
healthy mouth as they age. Get your child to learn good habits
and teach them how to properly brush and fl oss. This could
help them avoid costly dentist bills in the future.
The American Dental Association recommends a fi rst visit
to the dentist as soon as the fi rst tooth comes in and no later
than 1 year old. This early exam can give your dentist an
opportunity to identify tooth decay and discuss bad habits that
may promote decay.
Baby Teeth
Your child’s fi rst set of teeth are nearly completely formed at
birth. According to the ADA, your child’s teeth will typically
begin showing around the six-month mark. Taking great
care of these baby teeth is very important in the health of
permanent teeth. Properly maintained baby teeth can help
permanent teeth grow in straight.
Baby teeth should be cleaned every day. They should be
wiped down with a wet washcloth as they begin to show. Once
the teeth become bigger and stronger, you will be able to use a
child’s toothbrush.
Bad Habits
You can help your baby avoid learning bad habits by
discouraging thumb sucking, sleeping with a bottle or
excessive use of a pacifi er. All of these habits can lead to
serious dental trouble if performed after permanent teeth have
set in.
Constant sucking can cause problems with the growth of your
child’s mouth and the alignment of his teeth. It’s best to break
Arabian nationals being mysteriously
whisked out of the country before fac-
ing trial or completing their sentenc-
ing for crimes committed in Oregon.
The crimes included rape, a hit-and-
run homicide and possession of child
pornography. The Saudi government
has been fingered by authorities as a
likely accomplice in the Saudi nation-
als’ disappearances.
“I’m not going to allow a medieval
regime to flout diplomatic norms,”
Early Childhood Education
A retired educator asked for the sen-
ator’s views on early childhood educa-
tion.
“Dollar for dollar, there is no smart-
er place to put scarce resources than
early childhood education and vulner-
able kids,” said Wyden, emphasizing
the importance of supporting healthy
neurological development as early in a
child’s life as possible.
7A
“You either get there early or you
play catch-up for years to come,” he
said. “I’m a very strong supporter of
those early childhood programs.”
Abortion
Lastly, a freshman student asked
if the recent New York law allowing
abortion at any time if a mother’s
health is at risk will find its way in Or-
egon.
“First of all, I don’t think this a mat-
ter for politicians to jump in the mid-
dle of,” Wyden said. “Number two, it
is for a woman and her health care
provider to make the decision. And
number three, what is called ‘infanti-
cide’ by some is illegal in every part of
the country.”
Citizens United
The senator closed the forum by
addressing his own concerns with the
nation’s political status quo.
“There’s one important issue that
hangs over — that clouds every oth-
er aspect of our ability to make the
changes that we need in this country,”
he said. “And that is a Supreme Court
decision called Citizen’s United.”
The landmark 2010 case ruled that
private organizations may participate
in political campaign spending in the
same way as citizens as defended by
the First Amendment.
“It basically says that the rich guy’s
checkbook is exactly the same thing
as the poor person shouting on the
street corner. I think that’s absurd,”
said Wyden. “So I hope that as all of
you leave today, you will also reflect on
the need to change the way we finance
elections in America, because in much
of America, they don’t have town hall
meetings like this anymore.”
The senator finished the night on
a note promoting grassroots move-
ments. “I’m working to overturn Cit-
izens United and as long as I have the
honor to represent you in the United
States Senate, this is way we’ll do it,” he
said.
these habits long before his permanent teeth grow in and avoid
these unnecessary risks.
Toothpaste and Floss
Once your child is over 3 years old, the ADA recommends
the regular use of children’s fl uoride toothpaste. Fluoride is
an active cavity fi ghter and can strengthen developing tooth
enamel.
You should apply no more than a pea-sized drop of toothpaste
to your child’s toothbrush. Your child should brush their teeth
no less than twice a day for two minutes each time.
The ADA also recommends fl ossing as soon as your child’s
teeth are touching. When looking for tooth-care products for
your child, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance stamped on
the package
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